The Minotaur's Island

The History of Minoan Civilization and Its Mythical Monster

The Minotaur was a creature that was a monstrous half-man, half-bull imprisoned in Daedalus's labyrinth. Crete gave birth to Europe's first civilization nearly 5,000 years ago. Then it collapsed in fire and violence. Many questions have arisen from the society and Hughes is following in the footsteps of famed archaeologists to find startling new insights into the Minoan culture. Fresh evidence excaved from sites all over Crete offers tantalizing clues to the everyday life, and the tragic destiny, of the accomplished artisans and architects who lived at the crossroads of the ancient world.

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I've seen better documentaries, the announcer speaks in a style and manner that doesn't make me engaged. Could have been better visually. It is still interesting though if you like history and women in dresses.

I have seen many DVDs on Grece and Crete and all those narrated by Bettany Hughes are so annoying as the camera is often more on the narrator (who seems to parade her different dresses...) than on the actual ruins and other magnificent beauties of Greek nature.

Bad choice for our library. I hope librarians who select those stay away from anything narrated by Bettany Hughes or those ACORN productions. Please!

Some very interesting things to see and learn about Minoans in this documentary, but a tad difficult to understand due to narrator's British accent. Also, a little distracting as narrator, Bettany, is cavorting over rocks and ruins in clingy purple cocktail dress.

kevfarley
May 02, 2013

An adequate overview about archeology on Crete. Sometimes leaning toward over-interpertation and dramatic speculation based on limited evidence. But a good summation of efforts to date,.. and 'food for thought' never-the-less.

senseinai
Oct 28, 2012

This is an excellent documentary, with a narration that is well-informed, literate, even lyrical at times. And yes, historian Bettany is as beautiful as the scenery. Get over it.

Clearly, Bettany's entire raison d'être is to attract young audiences to serious topics. The shots of her riding around in various vehicles are rather pointless - but the information and the topic was well worth it. You learn a lot about the different eras of rule that they found and how they intpreted the information, is fascinating. The fire damage, and the ability to intrepret - statute smashed here, fire set there, etc. It's amazing how many details can still be gleaned from the things humans have left behind.

Definitely A documentary. But what happened to the Minotaur? Was it fact or fiction?
I must have been distracted with Bettany Hughes in her tight fitting purple dress. Why would you Wear such a Provocative dress on a archaeological dig?
Did I say it was a documentary, I must have been distracted again.

Is this a documentary? sort of...except that there's lots of film of Bettany Hughes' cleavage. Also, several shots of her legs thru a white skirt with the sun behind her, and tight pants as she skips up the ruins of Crete. Numerous shots following her dramatically thru underground ruins, flirty direct stares, and a very suggestive pose in an old boat.
Oh yah, for all the distracted males, the other 50% of it was about ancient Crete. For someone with feminist leanings why does she potray herself this way?